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- 1 cup orzo pasta - 200g feta cheese - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Orzo pasta is small and shaped like rice. It cooks quickly and soaks up flavors well. Feta cheese is salty and creamy. It adds a great tang to the dish. Cherry tomatoes burst with juice when cooked. They add sweetness and color. Olive oil brings richness and helps blend the flavors. Garlic gives a warm, fragrant touch. Dried oregano adds an herbaceous note. Red pepper flakes bring a hint of heat. This mix creates a balanced dish. When choosing orzo, pick a brand that looks fresh and has no broken pieces. For feta, find cheese that is firm and creamy. Look for a brand that uses sheep or goat milk for the best taste. Select ripe cherry tomatoes that feel plump. They should have a rich color. Use extra virgin olive oil for a stronger flavor. Fresh garlic should feel firm and smooth. Check for dried herbs that smell strong. This ensures maximum taste in your dish. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather your ingredients. You will need: - 1 cup orzo pasta - 200g feta cheese - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/4 cup olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon dried oregano - 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste) - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Next, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step ensures even cooking. In a large baking dish, mix the halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and olive oil. Season this mix with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir it all together until combined. Make a well in the center of the tomato mix. Place the block of feta cheese right in that well. Drizzle a bit more olive oil on top of the feta. This will help it become creamy and flavorful. Bake this dish in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes. You want the tomatoes to blister and the feta to turn golden and soft. The aroma will be amazing! While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook your orzo pasta. Follow the package instructions until it's al dente. Drain the orzo and set it aside. Once the baking time is up, take the dish out of the oven. Use a fork to mash the feta into the tomatoes. Stir well until they mix together nicely. Finally, add the cooked orzo to this mixture. Stir again until everything is evenly coated. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve it hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves. Enjoy your delicious TikTok Feta Baked Orzo! Cook orzo for about 8 to 10 minutes. Check the package for exact times. You want it to be al dente, which means it should be firm when you bite it. This texture holds up well when mixed with the feta and tomatoes. If you overcook orzo, it can turn mushy, which is not what we want. Use fresh ingredients for the best taste. Fresh basil, ripe cherry tomatoes, and good-quality feta cheese make a big difference. Adding garlic gives a nice kick. Don’t skip the olive oil; it adds richness. Adjust the red pepper flakes to your spice level. More heat can make the dish exciting, while less keeps it mild. One mistake is not seasoning enough. Be sure to add salt and pepper to both the tomato mix and the orzo. Another error is using crumbled feta instead of a block. The block holds up better during baking. Lastly, avoid rushing the baking time. Let the tomatoes blister and the feta soften for the best results. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Opt for fresh cherry tomatoes and high-quality feta cheese for the best flavor. Adjust the Heat: Modify the amount of red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference. Don't Skip the Basil: Fresh basil adds a fragrant touch that enhances the dish's overall taste. Perfectly Cooked Orzo: Make sure to cook the orzo just until al dente to maintain a nice texture in the final dish. {{image_2}} You can swap feta cheese with other tasty cheeses. Try goat cheese for a tangy flavor. Creamy ricotta gives a smooth texture. If you love sharpness, use aged cheddar. Just remember, each cheese brings its own unique taste. Adding veggies boosts flavor and nutrition. You can mix in spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers. For protein, consider cooked chicken, shrimp, or chickpeas. These additions make the dish more filling and colorful. Feel free to get creative with seasonal veggies! Want some heat? Add more red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños. Hot sauce is another option. This adds a kick that wakes up the flavors. Adjust the spice level to match your taste. Enjoy the extra warmth in each bite! After you enjoy your TikTok feta baked orzo, store leftovers in an airtight container. Let the dish cool to room temperature before sealing it. This helps keep the flavors fresh. You can keep it in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a good option. When you’re ready to eat the leftovers, I recommend reheating in the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the orzo in an oven-safe dish. Add a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to keep it moist. Cover it with foil and heat for about 15-20 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave, but it might not be as tasty. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until warmed through. To freeze the orzo, first let it cool completely. Scoop portions into freezer-safe bags or containers. Squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. Label the bags with the date. For best quality, eat it within three months. When you're ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight. Reheat it as mentioned above for a warm, comforting meal. Yes, you can use other pasta types. Penne, fusilli, or even spaghetti work well. Just adjust the cook time based on the pasta you choose. Make sure it's al dente before mixing it in. Absolutely! To make it dairy-free, skip the feta. Use a vegan cheese that's creamy. Nutritional yeast can add a cheesy flavor too. You won't miss the dairy with all the tasty ingredients. Baking the dish takes about 25 to 30 minutes. You want the tomatoes to blister and the feta to get golden. Keep an eye on it during the last few minutes for the best results. This dish pairs well with a fresh salad or crusty bread. You can also add grilled chicken or shrimp for protein. A light white wine would make a great drink choice too. Yes, you can prep it ahead of time. Assemble the dish and store it in the fridge. Just bake it when you're ready to eat. It saves time and still tastes great! We explored the key ingredients and how to choose the best ones. I shared clear steps for baking feta and mixing in orzo. You learned helpful tips to perfect your dish and avoid common mistakes. We also discussed fun variations to try and storage info for leftovers. Cooking is all about enjoying the process. With this knowledge, you can create a meal everyone will love. Get creative and have fun in the kitchen!

Feta Bliss Baked Orzo

A delightful baked dish featuring orzo pasta, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes, perfect for a comforting meal.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 200 g feta cheese
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • to taste Salt and pepper
  • for garnish Fresh basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  • In a large baking dish, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, and olive oil. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and red pepper flakes; mix well.
  • Make a well in the center of the tomato mixture and place the feta cheese block in it. Drizzle a little olive oil on top of the feta.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the tomatoes are blistered, and the feta is golden and soft.
  • While the feta and tomatoes bake, cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • Once the feta and tomatoes are done, remove the baking dish from the oven. Using a fork, mash the feta into the tomatoes and stir to combine.
  • Soon after, add the cooked orzo to the feta-tomato mixture and stir well until everything is evenly coated.
  • Adjust seasoning if needed and serve hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for desired spice level.
Keyword baked, feta, orzo, pasta, vegetarian